Physical Therapy Assistant, PTA, Home Health

Advocate Health•Oak Brook, IL

7d•$27 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

The Home Health Physical Therapy Assistant provides physical therapy services to patients in their homes and assisted living facilities in the Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Westmont, Willowbrook, and Lombard areas. The role works within the plan of care established by the supervising therapist, supports patient and family education, communicates changes in patient condition, coordinates care with the interdisciplinary team, and documents services to meet reimbursement and regulatory requirements. The position is full-time, day shift, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with 40 hours per week; rotating weekends and holidays may be required. The assistant develops restorative relationships with patients and families, adapts communication and treatment to individual needs, promotes safe self-care, and uses approved, evidence-based interventions. The role contributes to quality improvement, patient safety, professional development, care coordination, efficient use of resources, and patient education. Extensive travel to patients’ homes is required, with transportation arranged by the employee.

Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant licensure in Illinois, or eligibility for Illinois licensure.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association; must be obtained within six months unless the department leader determines it is not required.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to demonstrate compliance with state continuing education requirements.
Two years of clinical experience, or demonstrated strong breadth of clinical affiliation experience.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and email, and ability to learn and use computer-based scheduling and documentation systems.
Professional verbal and written communication skills, including strong documentation skills.
Good interpersonal skills, time management, and self-organization.
Proficiency with home-based therapy equipment and assistive devices, including balls, bands, weights, and Hoyer lifts.
Ability to work assigned days and hours and attend mandatory informational, educational, and branch meetings.
Ability to travel extensively within the assigned geographic area in varying weather and road conditions.
Ability to perform a full range of body motions, including bending, sitting, standing, climbing stairs while carrying objects, pulling, pushing, reaching, carrying, and lifting.
Ability to lift and carry at least 25 pounds and lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when a patient cannot assist, use patient-handling equipment and, when available, at least one other associate.
Ability to assist patients with safe ambulation on flat surfaces and stairs and with transfers using standard pivot transfers, transfer boards, or Hoyer lifts.
Ability to provide treatment on standard beds in the home environment.
Illinois state license; if not certified, the incumbent is required to become certified within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain restorative relationships with patients and families throughout the healthcare continuum.
Follow the supervising therapist’s plan of care, use an individualized approach within its parameters, identify the need for further assessment, and alert the appropriate professional.
Adapt communication to patient and family needs; assess readiness for care and learning, involve patients and families in treatment, and seek consultation from the supervising therapist as needed.
Promote patient and family knowledge and confidence in self-care, disease management, and infection prevention.
Use approved treatment interventions and current evidence-based standards to achieve established patient outcomes.
Participate in quality and process improvement initiatives and promote patient safety and risk reduction.
Document care thoroughly to support reimbursement and regulatory requirements.
Participate in staff meetings, agency in-services, and educational activities; maintain relevant professional knowledge and develop clinical skills.
Communicate effectively with peers and clinical disciplines, provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and collaborate as a member of the patient care team.
Recognize clinical changes and the need for reassessment; alert appropriate clinicians and the supervisor, and discuss proposed plan-of-care changes with the supervising therapist before implementation.
Prioritize and organize patient care, communicate with the team using techniques such as SBAR and 5P’s, and help establish supervisory visits and follow-up communication.
Support discharge planning and coordinate post-discharge care with the supervising therapist; communicate therapy status to the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.
Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences as appropriate.
Adhere to personnel and operational policies, coordinate care to maximize efficiency, and monitor resource use.
Assess patient and family readiness to learn, adapt teaching as needed, and use appropriate materials and health-literacy and adult-learning principles.
Provide or arrange transportation to and from patients’ homes and the branch office; attend required informational, educational, and branch meetings.
Assist patients with ambulation and transfers, using appropriate transfer equipment and patient-handling practices.